To western saddle or not to western saddle...?

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Abz88

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Right, seriously considering getting my little girl a western kit out! What are peoples general views and opinions on western tack? How easyily did your horse/pony get on with it etc?

My girl has a sensative mouth and is mostly voice commanded (so seems ideal for western style riding with long riens) BUT not sure about the heavy old saddle :0S I currently have her in a synthetic english saddle, so lovely and light,....do you think going to a western will be too much of a change in weight/style for her? What size saddle would you reconmend for a fairly high withered welsh D (15hh)? I have spoken to a lady who sells western saddles and she reconmended the standard fit over the cob fit for her...any other suggestions?

General comments on how you have found western style/you horse found western style etc

Thank you :)
 
Go for it!
Yes you can get reasonably light saddles, probably not as light as your current english saddle though. An 'average' western saddle may be around 40lbs, but you can now get marketed for long trail rides or endurance work weighing between 15 and 20.
Sounds deff like a standard size if she's pretty narrow, I can't narrow i down any further since we use mostly charro saddles now.

I love riding western, so much more comfortable than english, most of ours go bitless too :)
 
I was told aprox 9 kilo for the specific one I was looking at,...just worried as that is a lot heavier than her current. I shall look for lieghter weight though. Could you reconmend any good ones?

I have wondered about bitless. When lunging obviously has no bit in and I use no whip (never had a whip near her) and she is fully voice commandable. BUT I am a bit too chicken to be on top with no bit,...just in case! How easy was it to get yours bitless?
 
Abetta Crossovers are just over 9kg (I think)
Wintec synthetic is just under (18 or 19lbs)
Kimberley Synthetic Stock saddles are about 9kgs or the synth endurance saddle is 16lbs which is probably one of the lightest you'll find (http://www.downunderweb.com/store/Saddles_Synthetic.html)

Thing you'll find is what western riders think of as light isn't what you think of. There are saddles marketed as lightweight that are 35lb+

Ours are normally started bitless so it isn't an issue for us :cool:
 
Thank you for your comments,....the positive comments make me want one more!!! Synthetic westerns may well be my way forward...any experience with these? Good or bad. Trying to get a full even picture before jumping in!! Are the stirrups fairly easy to adjust? Or a pain, but once they are right, you dont have to fiddle?
 
Abz88 said:
Thank you for your comments,....the positive comments make me want one more!!! Synthetic westerns may well be my way forward...any experience with these? Good or bad. Trying to get a full even picture before jumping in!! Are the stirrups fairly easy to adjust? Or a pain, but once they are right, you dont have to fiddle?
Click to expand...

Definitely a pain for me to adjust, the fenders make it totally different to doing it on an english saddle. Personally I have to do it from the ground, undoing the straps is too hard whilst trying to stay mounted!

I do know riders that use synth for everyday riding, but since I mostly ride/train/an friends with people that use charro saddles (wood covered with rawhide) I wouldn't really know enough to comment.
 
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I use synthetics because I cannot, physically, swing a 40lb saddle up on a horse because of my crook shoulder. Mine weighs about 20lbs. Mine isn't particularly pretty but as I don't show or compete who cares, it is comfy and warm to sit on to!

Once you have the stirrups right for you leave them, it depends what sort of fitting there is to alter them, a billet is much easier than one where you have to fiddle with the straps. The only complaint I have about synthetics are the horrid, horrid, plastic stirrups, they look incredibly tacky...you can buy others though, or wrap them.
 
Balance International are just bringing out a Western saddle - can't comment on the weight, but can guarantee that it will be very, very comfortable for the horse (and you)!
 
High withered does not mean narrow! I have fitted "shark fin" withered horses with XW saddles, please don't try and gain clearance by going too narrow - the angles of the bars in a Western, of the angle of the headplate in an English, must match the angle of the ribcage.
 
All of your comments a links have helped loads. Thank you :) I am not over fussed on 'prettyness' for the time being. More concerend about weight and comfort. Didn't realise they came with plastic stirrups, I can see how they would look tacky. But western metal stirrups arn't too hard to find, so it wont be a huge issue.
I think I have set my heart on a synthetic now! I am doubting if I could get a 40lb saddle up on her without having to put it hard/drop it on her back which is of course a big no, no!
I am very much looking forward to my new western style of riding with my girly :0) Yay....need a cow boy hat now ha ha ha
 
Abz88 said:
I think I have set my heart on a synthetic now! I am doubting if I could get a 40lb saddle up on her without having to put it hard/drop it on her back which is of course a big no, no!
I am very much looking forward to my new western style of riding with my girly :0) Yay....need a cow boy hat now ha ha ha
Click to expand...

There is a technique, you swing it.:) Watch from about 1 minute:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMQQf01zE0&feature=fvsr

Regarding the cowboy hat:
http://www.thehorsediary.com/12/cowboy-hat-helmet-system-by-troxel/
36.jpg
 
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I ride a couple of mine in a Western saddle. I don't have a 'real' Western, can't afford one - but a Wintec. I love it, and it suits the ones I ride on down to the ground.

I do however, still use english bridles and ride english style - so far. I do intend to learn to ride western style and to use a western style bridle.

If you fancy it, try it, but make sure you learn about western saddles, and get a decent one, and get it fitted by a western trained saddle fitter.

Have fun:D

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I ride English aids but in a Western saddle. He has a western bridle with snaffle bit and he loves it. I would not give my saddle up for anything, it is after all just something to sit on it is not a style of riding. My horse does not care if I sit in an English saddle, Western saddle, Australian saddle etc.
 
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